United States Wagner, Die Walküre: Soloists, Orchestra of Santa Fe Opera / James Gaffigan (conductor). Crosby Theatre, Santa Fe, 30.7.2025. (HS)
Overly complex Die Walküre – though with a sensitive streak – at Santa Fe Opera
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
For the Liceu’s West Side Story with its star singers, the Oscar goes to … Gustavo Dudamel
Spain Bernstein, West Side Story (concert version): Soloists, Chorus (chorus director: Pablo Assante) and Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu / Gustavo Dudamel (conductor). Gran Teatro del Liceu, Barcelona, 29.7.2025. (JMI)
With Together Again Anton and Giovanni bid us an ‘arrivederci’ full of song, dance, laughs and memories
United Kingdom Anton & Giovanni Together Again: Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, 30.7.2025. (JPr)
Matthias Davids makes Wagner’s Die Meistersinger fun again at Bayreuth
Germany Bayreuth Festival 2025 [1] – Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nϋrnberg: Soloists, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra / Daniele Gatti (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Michael Beyer) from the Bayreuth Festspielhaus and available on STAGE+, 25.7.2025. (JPr)
Beautifully sung Die Zauberflöte at the open-air Eutin Festival
Germany Mozart, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute): Soloists and Chorus of Eutiner Festspiele, Eutin Festival Orchestra / Laurent Wagner (conductor). Eutin, 23.7.2025. (DM-D)
Fauré’s rarely-performed Pénélope at Munich’s Bayerische Staatsoper
Germany Fauré, Pénélope: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Bayerische Staatsoper / Susanna Mälkki (conductor), Prinzregententheater, Munich, 26.7.2025. (AL-L)
Beyond sleepwalking: Teatro Nuovo brings Macbeth and La sonnambula to New York City Center
United States Verdi, Macbeth (1847 version), Bellini, La sonnambula: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro Nuovo. New York City Center, 23 & 24.7.2025. (ES-S)
Freddie De Tommaso’s confident role debut and Bryn Terfel’s masterclass in Verbier’s Puccini double bill
Switzerland Verbier Festival 2025 – Puccini, Gianni Schicchi, Mascagni, Cavalleria rusticana (concert performances): Soloists, Oberwalliser Vokalensemble choir, Verbier Festival Orchestra / Andrea Battistoni (conductor), Johanna Vaude (video art). Broadcast live from Salle des Combins, Verbier, Switzerland, 24.7.2025 and available on medici.tv. (JPr) Updated review.
